Duty calls

Monday 20th December 356 AC

At Third Watch Sir Dominic joined me in visiting Sir Gregory. Formalities were swiftly dispensed as we were informed that as soon as our party could be assembled we would be sent to a small town south of Sanction by the dismal name of Slupsk. Since the end of the last war efforts have been made to cleanse the area of 'unsociable elements'. For the most part this has been successful- the dragon armies are in disarray, the ogre and goblinoid populations are under control and the entire region of Neraka is restricted by major trade embargoes. As is inevitable, however, some more extreme elements are intent on the continuation of hostilities. It is these elements the we will be sent to bring under control.
As soon as we can ready ourselves we are to return to Palanthas where we may present a document of travel to the proprietor of the Mage supply shop. She will transport us by magical means to the area in which Slupsk resides.

Our somewhat unorthodox group was we under way by Fifth Watch and we made camp along the road after a day's good travel.


Tuesday 21st December 356 AC

Given our progress the previous day I decided the party (and the horses) had earned a relaxed start to the day. We stowed our trail rations and allowed Brother Ithariel to prepare one of his, now famous, breakfasts, while Starsong and Sir Dominic engaged in a little weapons training. Nedlog eventually ended the sparring by unleashing a furious torrent of abuse of them both - I shall only record that I was glad to have a priest with us, for Sir Dominic's sake.
After the incident with a bored kender we broke camp and completed out journey, arriving at Palanthas halfway through Evening Watch, and arranged to spend the night in the barracks.

Sir Dominic and Starsong proceeded immediately to the home of Julie's aunt and uncle, John and Mary Keenen (the only known relatives of the young girl we rescued along the road). The first sign of any disturbance was a conspicuous lack of activity within the house and grounds- remember that the gentleman and lady of the house were quite wealthy, there should have been people coming and going at all times of the day. Sir Dominic took it upon himself to gain entry to the main house via the kitchen and found the cook within, strangled dead.
A cursory investigation of the ground floor revealed two more victims and they swiftly decided the best course of action would be to contact the City Watch. Though we all felt concern for the little orphan on hearing the news, we were content to leave the matter in the hands of those who could focus more on the task.

On a lighter note, Brother Ithariel lightened the mood by presenting us all with early Yuletide gifts.